Casting technique of NaCl space-holder using 3D printed PLA template for manufacture porous Mg alloy

In this study, NaCl powder and polylactic acid (PLA) were used as a space-holder and binder, respectively, to produce Mg-Zn foaming alloy. Porous NaCl space-holder was cast using a PLA template printed using a 3D printer. NaCl powder was mixed with gelatin and supersaturated NaCl into a paste to ease the infiltration and binding process. Chloroform was used as the leaching solution to dissolve the PLA template from NaCl Paste to obtain the NaCl space holder. The NaCl space-holder obtained was sintered at 200 °C and 700 °C to see the effect of temperature on the NaCl space-holder hardness. A CT scan image was also taken to see the hollow area of the space-holder. In this research, it was found that the NaCl space-holder is more brittle when sintered at 700 °C because, during sintering, the gelatin and PLA were completely burnt, therefore, leaving a pure NaCl space-holder. Unlike the space-holder sintered at 200 °C, which still contains gelatin and PLA on its surface, giving the NaCl extra support when force was applied. Mechanical test results show that the NaCl space holder with sintered at 700 °C has a higher compressive strength than the NaCl space-holder with sintered at 200 °C. Still, the process needs to be improved to obtain a NaCl space-holder with better compressive strength and no residue left on the sample so that it is ready to be applied with magnesium to produce a porous magnesium alloy.